Convert Microsoft to LINUX: Linux Terminal Server

  1. First go to Edubuntu and download the latest LTSP. Verify that the CD was written properly, this is an option on the boot menu.
  2. Next do the memory test on the machine, also an option on the boot menu.
  3. When installing the RAID assuming you have two physical disks, you want to pick RAID1 for the type of RAID. Note, both physical disks should say a type of RAID. If one disk says type LVM (Logical Volume Manager) you have done it incorrectly. If all else fails, you can use alt-f2 or alt-f3 to get to a shell. Here you can use the mdadm command to configure the disks if necessary as described on my command page. It should create a device called "md0". After you are done with RAID you configure the LVM to map and mount like an ordinary Logical partition to the appropiate device.
  4. For the Volume Group Name choose "root". We then created 5 logical partitions for
    /dev/mapper/root-root32     on   /   (20 Gig)
    /dev/mapper/root-home       on   /home   (50 Gig)
    /dev/mapper/root-spare       on   /spare   (20 Gig)
    /dev/mapper/root-srv             on   /srv   (218 Gig)
    /dev/mapper/root-swap         on   swap partition   (4 Gig)
    Note your sizes may differ depending on the size of your physical disk.
  5. Edit the /etc/ltsp/dhcpd.conf file for your appropiate network IP addresses, gateway and number of leases.
  6. Everything installed fine out of the box. You have to enable the boot from Network on your laptop/desktop to see it work. You should get a login screen for Edubuntu. Note, some laptop video cards will flip you back from 1024 X 768 to 800 X 600, but most should detect properly. You can add this setting to the
    /opt/ltsp/i386/etc/lts.conf file:
    X_MODE_0 = 1024x768
    Note, the above is X_MODE_Zero not "O"
    If you still have video problems please see my Ubuntu page.
  7. Lastly to put shortcuts in all users directories, create a directory of /etc/skel/Desktop
    Copy into this directory all your *.desktop shortcut files. Make sure the permissions on the files are 777 so new users can read/execute them. Start off by picking one user as the "template" user and give them all the desktop shortcuts. You can then type:
    cp /home/user/template/Desktop/* /etc/skel/Desktop/
    Then type
    chmod 777 /etc/skel/Desktop/*
  8. To add internet explorer go to IEs4Linux and follow the instructions. Note, it defaults to putting everything in /root/bin , instead use "/usr/local/bin".
  9. You may also want to add NXclient, NXserver and NXnode which is available here.

Enjoy!